As Dale Stephens contemplates his latest setback, he has missed out on a chance to compare notes with a fellow Lancastrian.

And the prospect of discovering a few home truths about how wrong it can all go if you quit Albion for the Premier League.

Stephens is suspended for tomorrow's game at Sheffield Wednesday following his dismissal in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Ipswich.

It has been a torrid few months for the influential midfielder, beginning with that controversial red card in the promotion decider at Middlesbrough in May and continuing during the transfer window, as the Seagulls blocked multiple attempts by Burnley to sign him.

Stephens vented his frustration via Twitter in an open letter to supporters but there have been numerous examples before him that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Will Buckley, now at Sheffield Wednesday, is a classic case.

 

The winger's place in Albion folklore is assured after scoring both goals in the comeback victory against Doncaster Rovers in the first-ever game at the Amex five years ago.

The outlook is far less certain for the Seagulls' first million pound player when they signed him from Watford.

Vulnerable to injuries, the wiry Buckley (below right) nevertheless made 64 league starts in three years with Albion. He was a significant member of a team that reached the play-offs in successive seasons.

The Argus: Then, in August 2014, former Albion boss Gus Poyet gave Buckley his shot at the Premier League with Sunderland for a £2.5 million fee - and his career has nosedived ever since.

He has made only nine starts and 24 appearances in total for the Black Cats. Shipped out on loan to Leeds and Birmingham last season, he is with Sheffield on the same basis for the rest of the campaign.

Buckley has spent most of the time on the bench since signing last month. At 26 he should be in his prime, yet he has gone backwards.

Buckley is not the only one whose bank balance has swelled but whose career has tumbled into reverse since abandoning Albion for the bright lights of the Premier League.

Liam Bridcutt beat him to it. After marshalling the Seagulls from League One to the play-offs, the defensive midfielder was reunited with Poyet at Sunderland in January 2014, also for £2.5 million.

The downward spiral has been similar for Albion's former two-time player of The Argus: the season. He made just 19 starts for Sunderland.

Bridcutt (above left) is now attempting to rebuild his career as captain of Sheffield Wednesday's Yorkshire neighbours Leeds United, linking up with them permanently after a spell on loan last season.

Buckley and Bridcutt, by virtue of the tetchy nature of their departures and moves to a club managed by Poyet, will receive a more lukewarm welcome back at the Amex than Elliott Bennett.

There was no animosity towards the popular winger when he left to join Norwich in the Premier League for an undisclosed fee in June 2011 after helping Albion to the League One title.

He was a mainstay, making 88 starts in two years with the Seagulls. Subsequently hit by injuries, Bennett (below) has made only a further 39 starts in total back on loan with Albion during the ill-fated reign of Sami Hyypia, in a temporary spell at Bristol City and now in the Championship relegation zone with Blackburn Rovers. He signed for them permanently in January.

The Argus: It has not all been bad for the players who have made big money moves from Albion to the Premier League.

Leo Ulloa has a champions medal after his £8 million switch to Leicester in The Argus: the summer of 2014.

The much-loved Argentinian (above centre) departed following a goal-laden 18 months with Albion.

Although he has been part of the astonishing Leicester story, his role has become increasingly peripheral.

Ulloa started only seven Premier League starts as the Foxes shook up the top flight under Claudio Ranieri last season.

He will struggle to reach that this time around. Leicester splashed out a club record £30 million on Algerian marksman Islam Slimani, who scored their winner in the Champions League against Porto this week.

Ulloa was linked with Swansea in the summer. His historic stay in the East Midlands could be shortlived.

Ulloa was successor to the club legend who broke the mould. Once Bobby Zamora parted company with Albion he carved out a long-term career in the Premier League.

Even for Zamora (below) it did not work out initially at Spurs, the club he left the Seagulls for in a £1.5 million deal in July 2003.

The Argus: He took a step back with West Ham in the Championship before playing for the Hammers, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League, and England as well.

He was still scoring goals last season on his injury-interrupted return to Albion before he was released in the summer.

Stephens wanted the same opportunity as Zamora had. He will still be frustrated by thoughts of what might have been but he might just, for now, be better off where he is.